Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water Lisa Neville today announced $4.8 million to protect Port Phillip Bay’s beaches and foreshores from erosion, and increase the amount of open beach space available to the public.
The Protection of Port Phillip Beaches and Foreshore Program will benefit local communities and those who visit the Bay's beaches, with about four out of every five Victorians visiting our coast at least once a year.
The program aims to provide effective protection of our coastal foreshores and improve the public amenity of Port Phillip Bay beaches.
The program includes:
- Beach renourishment at Sandringham; Sorrento West; Eastern Beach Geelong, St Helens and Moorpanyl; Hampton; Frankston South; and Carrum.
- Annual beach monitoring with input from the community and local government.
- Two awards to post graduate university students for coastal research projects in Port Phillip and Western Port.
Communities are reminded that further assessment of individual projects or severe weather over the period may delay the works program.
The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) consulted extensively with land managers including councils to finalise the program and will consult further to implement the program over the coming two years.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water Lisa Neville
“I am pleased to announce that eight different Port Phillip Bay beaches and foreshores and the communities that enjoy them, will benefit from this $4.8 million program.”
"Whether it's renourishments that widen and lengthen beaches or the work we do with local communities to ensure erosion is properly monitored over the long term, this funding is important for the health of the Bay's coastline.”
“These renourishment projects have been prioritised and we will work with local land managers to deliver the projects over the next two years."
Reviewed 10 February 2021